NZNO Te Rūnanga Akenehi Hei Award 2018

Akenehi Hei is the highest honour for Te Rūnanga and is an NZNO award.

In 2017 Moe Milne was awarded the Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori health. Of Ngāti Hine and Ngāpuhi descent, Moe has been a mental health nurse for more than 40 years.

Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku, congratulating Moe Milne said:

“Moe’s dedication is a gift to all New Zealanders and I was very proud to present this award to such a great person who is so dedicated to Māori health needs and education.

“She generates the same aroha, manaakitanga and commitment to her people as Akenehi Hei and is truly inspirational for her contributions to Māori health and knowledge.

“She has provided significant leadership throughout her working career and her commitment toward Māori wellbeing for whānau, hapū and Iwi,” she said.

Akenehi Hei was the first Māori nurse to register under her Māori name. She was able to incorporate both Māori and non-Māori values into her practice, which was recognised by her peers and medical colleagues long after her early death to typhoid. She has become an inspiration and whaea tipuna (inspirational leader) to many aspiring Māori nurses, midwives and health professionals.